SAR inducts new officersSpecial to The Monitor
ATHENS–The Sons of the American Revolution Athens chapter held its
annual meeting Jan. 8.
Officers elected for 2009 were president Charles Luna, vice president
Ernest Holland and secretary/treasurer Sam Whitten.
Appointed officers were registrar Art Hall, chaplain Johnny Goforth,
chancellor Jim Robertson, sgt. at arms David Cason and historian Roald
“Skip” Gustafson.
Other chapter appointments were SAR advisor/liaison Harry Fife and
webmaster/photographer Wayne Stafford.
Outgoing chapter president “Skip” Gustafson conducted the meeting and
turned the gavel over to incoming president Charles Luna.
Various awards were presented, with Gustafson receiving the Meritorious
Service Medal for eadership in 2008.
SAR Texas Society President Harry Fife inducted the officers and gave an
update on the progress of the Texas Society.
Luna presented chapter goals for 2009, including youth and civic
recognition, public service awards and community awareness.
A highlight of the meeting was the induction of new member Adron Neill
into the chapter by Registrar Art Hall.
The Sons of the American Revolution is an educational, historic and
patriotic society.
The Athens chapter was chartered with nine founding members and three
charter members May 20, 1994.
The chapter now has 40 members, with the majority residing in Henderson
and Kaufman counties.
Eligibility for SAR membership includes proven ancestors who served,
provided a service or declared their loyalty in the American Revolution
for the cause of American independence from Great Britain.
The chapter conducts five dinner meetings and six business meetings
yearly. Prospective members may contact chapter registrar Art Hall at
(903) 675-5441.

Kiwanis members review
programs, projectsMonitor Staff Reports
GUN BARREL CITY–On the 94th anniversary of Kiwanis International, the
Cedar Creek Lake Kiwanis members reviewed the dozens of programs the
club sponsors and participates in across the area.
“Kiwanis has more volunteer hours than any organization,” past president
and new club secretary Dr. Jeannie Caillet said. “Priority One is kids
aged zero to 5.”
Speaking to a small group gathered for the club’s regular Wednesday
meeting, Caillet said one of the club’s key efforts is the “nurse’s
closet” project with campuses in the Mabank, Eustace and Trinidad school
districts.
“They (school nurses) tell us what they need, and we buy what they
need,” she said.
Caillet said a number of children around the lake area come from very
depressed economic circumstances.
One nurse has a washer/dryer and shower available, and washes clothes
for some students as they shower at school, because there’s no water
service at home, she related.
Kiwanis encourages reading through its “Read Around the World” program,
handled locally by club members Linda and Russ Rau, who give monthly
story reachings at both local libraries.
Children attending the storytelling hour are presented a brand-new book
provided by the club, Caillet said.
The club also hands out books to children who attend the annual
“Breakfast with Santa” at The Library at Cedar Creek Lake in Seven
Points.
Another big project Kiwanis supports is the annual Children’s Miracle
Network fund drive.
Caillet outlined the monthly, quarterly and annual reports the club
submits to District 26, part of the Kiwanis Texas-Oklahoma District.
Former club member JoAnn McCarty, now the president of the Athens
Kiwanis club, is the District 26 lieutenant governor this year, Caillet
said.
Another major aspect of Kiwanis is service leadership programs, she
said.
“K Kids, Builder’s Club and Key Clubs, and all the things that go along
with those programs, are part of that,” she explained.
Kiwanis sponsors the “Terrific Kids” and “BUGs” programs at local
elementary campuses. Both are classroom-based rewards programs sponsored
by the teacher, and aimed at developing good study habits and learning
skills.
There are 27 Terrific Kids and 27 BUGs programs established at local
schools, Caillet reported.
“We have more than any other club in the Texas-Oklahoma District,” she
added.
Terrific Kids focuses on developing leadership skills, while BUGs stands
for Bringing Up Grades. Classroom rewards can include bumper stickers,
special pens/pencils and other items.
K Kids organizations are for slightly older students (grades 3-5), and
involve the students themselves choosing to participate and developing
their own campus or community service projects, Caillet explained.
The same is true for Builder’s Club (middle school) and Key Club (high
school) organizations. Those older groups focus on community service.
“In Trinidad, to be an honor student, you have to perform 100 hours of
community service,” Caillet said. “This is also a way for students to
gain scholarships.”
Each K Kids, Builders Club and Key Club group has a faculty sponsor and
a Kiwanis advisor.
Carie Goodrich said she joined Kiwanis because of her daughter’s
involvement at the Eustace Intermediate K Kids group.
“I had always thought that Kiwanis was for older people, sort of like
Masons, with funny hats or something,” she said. “I didn’t know.
“I joined after I found out all of the things Kiwanis does for
children,” she added. “I enjoy being a sponsor for K Kids.”

Trustees hear update on KHSBy Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
KEMP–Tuesday, Kemp Independent School District trustees heard
construction on the new high school is going well.
“Things are changing weekly,” Ed Nelson senior project manager for Baird
Williams Construction said.
Although the work fell behind at the start because of a rainy spell,
things are picking up, he said.
“We were about 30 days behind, and now we have caught up by about two
weeks,” Nelson said.
“We’re ahead on the roof,” he added. “It is 80 percent finished.
“Most of the slabs are poured and we have started the dry wall work,” he
said. “We have about 23 ironworkers on the job.”
“At what point will the weather no longer affect you?” trustee Don
Jedlicka asked.
“In three weeks to a month,” Nelson answered.
In a related action, the trustees approved payment of $1,330,931 for
construction costs on the new high school.
The facility is about 35 percent complete, Nelson said.
Todd Bennett, project manager for Fromberg & Associates, Architects,
said he was pleased with the progress on the school.
But, Bennett said there are two issues still to be settled – commencing
water service and the placement of driveways.
“We have been working without water and doing okay. But water is
critical to testing the plumbing,” Nelson said.
“TxDoT (Texas Department of Transportation) has given us three
(driveway) scenarios to be considered,” Superintendent Dr. Peter Running
said. “They will visit sometime between Thursday, Jan. 29, and Friday,
Feb. 6, to finalize the plans.”
There will be three entrances, with one for maintenance vehicles,
Running explained.
TxDoT is concerned the other two will be spaced far enough apart to keep
traffic from backing up, he said.
In other business, trustees:
• heard assistant superintendent Sam Swierc report on the district
improvements plan.
“The committee is very comfortable with the plans,” he said.
“We are currently going over some grants that may help us provide funds
for security cameras,” Running commented.
• heard the ADA (average daily attendance) report presented by Kim
Johnson.
“The figures have not come up like we wanted. This year’s budget was
based on 1,529 students,” Johnson said.
There were 1,568 students in attendance on Oct. 31, 2008, compared to
1,638 in October, 2007.
“We were closer this year than last year (budget-wise). We are still
getting some transfers in,” Running said.
• heard the AEIS (Academic Excellence Indicator System).
This compares the state and district grades based on student TAKS (Texas
Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) testing.
“We will have a public hearing on this in February,” Running said.
• heard the financial report from Johnson.
• approved a property tax resale.
• heard the senior prom is set for Saturday, April 11, at Mill Creek
Lodge. The theme will be Mardi Gras.
• heard the next Board Buzz is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27. Trustees
attending will be Curtis Donovan and Harvey McFaul.
• recognized those recently honored.
Intermediate assistant principal Joanna Slaton was given a plaque and
commended for receiving her doctorate in education (see related story on
Lake Life, page 3B).
Coach Greg Anderson was recognized for being named Henderson County
Coach of the Year.
Assistant coach Randal Forguson was also recognized for being named
state Assistant Baseball Coach of the Year (see related story, page 1A).
Student athletes were presented to the board and commended for their
accomplishments.
Students of the month were presented a plaque and a certificate from
Kemp Dairy Queen for an eight-inch ice cream cake.

Come Adopt
Us At The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake

My name is Nelson. I am a
beautiful male Dachshund. I was brought to the shelter by animal
control, so I have no history. So far, I seem pretty laid back
and gentle. I am a wonderful boy looking for my new forever
home.

My name is Oreo. I am a beautiful
female black Lab. I was brought to the shelter by animal
control, so I have no history. I seem to get along with other
dogs. I need help with leash training. I have been started on my
shots and need to be fixed. I am a beautiful girl looking for my
new home.

We are a whole litter of Shepherd
mix babies. We were brought to the shelter by animal control, so
we have no history. We have been started on our first set of
shots. We are good kids looking for our new forever homes.

I am a beautiful Border Collie,
who is four months old, or so. I was brought to the shelter by
animal control, so I have no history. I have not been at the
shelter long, so not much is known about me. I am a beautiful
kid looking for a new home.

Pictured are just a few
animals at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake in Seven
Points in dire need of a good home. Please call or stop by the
Humane Society today and rescue one of these forgotten animals.
The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is located on 10220
County Road 2403 in
Seven Points. For more information, please call (903) 432-3422
after 11 a.m.
We are closed on Wednesday and Sunday.